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Google shifted nearly $23 billion in profits to a tax haven in Bermuda in one single year, allowing it to avoid triggering U.S. income taxes and European withholding taxes in its foreign income. How did they do it? Are using tax havens in this way legal?

A recent court ruling held that a jury award of tort damages (including interest) that a cattle and dairy farmer received in a stray voltage lawsuit were ordinary income which should have been included in the farmer’s taxable income; thereby increasing his taxes. An important lesson in this case includes the tax price of winning a court case.

If the recent college admissions scandal has you scratching your head wondering, “how did they get away with it for so long, and how was it uncovered,” wonder no more. There’s no doubt that forensic accountants played a role, and what they did to uncover the payoffs might save your own business one day.

While printing postage from the internet is convenient, it may not be a good idea to do so for payments or petitions mailed to the IRS. That’s what one taxpayer recently learned when her correspondence was regarded as being late despite the timely date her private postage label clearly displayed.

NBA star Zaza Pachulia and his wife recently learned the hard way that it’s critical to use a reputable accountant. Pachulia’s identity was used by his accountant, Randy Usow, to defraud the IRS of more than $800,000. The case is eye-opening in several ways:

A Michigan Court of Appeals recently ruled that expert witnesses can’t simply claim witness immunity for testimony that can be considered incompetent. Instead, licensed professionals acting as expert witnesses owe the same professional diligence to the party for which they testify as they would to any client. Failing in doing so could result in malpractice.

Retiring soon? Congratulations! Certain changes in the tax code affect your income taxes as you retire, including healthcare deductions and Social Security distributions. If you’re a business owner, other changes can affect how you plan your succession and the potential sale of your business.

Funds received as proceeds of a loan aren’t taxable as long as you’re expected to pay it back. However, the moment some or all of the debt is forgiven (and doesn’t need to be paid back), the IRS will jump in and want its cut.

Have you ever heard about a tax strategy you thought was so crazy, it just might work? Here’s what we can tell you: If it’s illegal, the IRS has seen it before, and it’s only a matter of time before they catch on.

Feeling lost while navigating the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changes for business travel, parking and relocation? You’re not alone. Here are some of the top changes and what the IRS has to say (if anything) about them.

Expertise

When you hire Steven Bankler and his team of certified public accountants, you get seasoned, knowledgeable CPAs.

Rather than experienced bookkeepers, promising CPAs-in-training or studious interns in the process of completing their accounting degrees, you get professional CPAs. We Solve Problems. We provide creative solutions to our clients’ unique problems including tax and estate planning, forensic accounting, expert witness and litigation support.

Testimonials

For corporate professionals handling multi-million dollar budgets and VIP accounts, the day-to-day accounting can be daunting. “We sought out Steven because of his expertise with start-up capital issues. His team has propelled us forward... --Jason and Colleen Benavides, Bahama Buck's Leon Springs, Owners >>Read more

"The Bankler motto is true; we really have saved money. Steven helped us restructure and find smarter ways to do business. Other accountants will tell you, ‘I don’t see anything in the tax code that says we can do it.’ Steven will tell you, 'I don't see anything in the tax code that says we cannot do it... --John F Dini and Leila Dini, MPN, Inc., Owners >>Read more

Curriculum Vitae

Steven Bankler understands business. As a businessman who is also a CPA since 1977, his proven track record speaks for itself. View his detailed experience here:

Quoted Opinions

For over 30 years, daily newspapers, television networks and affiliates and prominent newstalk radio programs have published and broadcasted Steven Bankler’s insights on a wide range of forensic accounting and tax topics. His expert opinion is highly regarded in informing and educating the public, as well as judges, and juries on complex issues.